The skinny steel frame looks really grew on me over the last few months, and I wanted to build a bike for hitting the gravel roads for some time. Apparently 2nd hand steel CX frames are hard to find (here), and while looking around the interwebs I really got into vintage bikes. Long story cut short, I ended up with a Colnago Master Piu frameset that I'm fairly happy about.

The plan is to build up a reasonably weight classic looking bike, with a mix of modern and vintage components and 27mm-ish tyres -- if I can get them to fit -- for the gravel. The frame will most likely get a paint job, the stem will stay in all likelihood, I'm really digging its looks.

What I'm totally undecided about is whether to go with down tube shifters or STIs, opinions welcome.

Unless you are really going for a true period piece, riding with STI / ERGOs on gravel roads will be a lot less hair raising. There are a bunch of really good refurb projects on WW using older steel framesets with more modern parts. You can achieve a cool look (and lighter weight) with some modern drivetrain upgrades that make the bike so much more fun to ride. That frame is really a nice find. If you can get a hold of a NOS chromed aero post from back in the day, that would be stellar on this frame with the chrome fork and silver stem.Since the drop outs allow you to pull that rear wheel back, you will probably be able to get some 27's in there! Keep posting the progress here.

Why paint?? Looks so nice as-is! Would look great with a set of low-profile rims and skinwall tires. I'd definitely go with modern shifters if you're riding a lot of loose terrain. Much more comfortable and safe, I don't think anyone will argue about that, even the old-timers I talk to have no love for down tube shifters except for nostalgia or period-correct builds.

A Brooks saddle is not period-correct for that bike. I would go for a Regal, Turbo, Rolls, etc... and in white.

If you're going for DA 7800, I would get the DA cranks too.

H+Son? Don't they belog to some lame fixie bikes? Reflex rims and Ultegra Hubs would match the groupset and doesn't cost much. Tubulars of course. Veloflex Roubaix is an excellent choice and costs ~55€ each. If you're afraid of tubulars, then Open Pro's in silver.

Can't you put your hands on a second hand Veloce or Centaur silver gruppo (around 250 euro in my part of the old world), some second hand hand-build wheels with silver record hubs (around 200 euro), and some cheapo silver handlebars and seatpost? I really would not choose for Tune/H+son/DA/other-than-black-colored hoods on an old Colnago for l'eroica kind of cycling. last advice: Michelin sells very cheap (around 10€) clinchers in 28mm with tan sidewalls.

Some progress at last. Found silver Tune Fastfoot crank and Sixpack BB at a nice price washed up at the bay, and a silver Deda 215 Shallow on sale. The frame seems to fit 27mm tyres just fine (tried with 28mm Conti 4 Seasons, which are said to run narrow, but there is some more leeway).

Will run this more budget conscious than planned, as I'm also coveting a TT bike from the scrap I have lying around.

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